Encoding and decoding visual information

Abstract

A method and computer software for creating an encoded image and which can optionally include a method for decoding the encoded image. The encoded image is preferably formed from at least one symmetric image but can be formed from a plurality of symmetric images. Embodiments of the present invention can be performed with physical paper and writing utensils or can be performed via computer software. Embodiments of the present invention can be used for art authentication based on results obtained by decoding an image. In one embodiment, one or more encoded image elements can be revealed simultaneously. Optionally, however, encoded image elements can be caused to be revealed in a series that gives a sense of motion in a manner similar to that of motion picture animation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 obtaining a plurality of image elements that are at least substantially symmetric; 
 creating a plurality of bisected image elements by bisecting the plurality of image elements along a plane of symmetry of each respective image element; 
 removing one half of each of the plurality of bisected image elements; 
 creating a plurality of reflected bisected image elements by reflecting one or more portions of the plurality of bisected image elements across the respective plane of symmetry of each of the plurality of bisected image elements; and 
 creating a composite image by at least partially overlapping at least some of the reflected bisected image elements. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising adding embellishments. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein adding embellishments comprises adding embellishments to at least one of the reflected bisected image elements. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2  wherein adding embellishments comprises adding embellishments to at least one of the bisected image elements. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2  wherein adding embellishments comprises adding embellishments to the composite image. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein obtaining a plurality of image elements comprises obtaining two image elements and wherein creating a plurality of reflected bisected image elements and creating a composite image comprises reflecting portions of two bisected image elements and overlapping portions of two reflected bisected image elements such that the composite image comprises an at least substantially interdigitated image. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  further comprising creating a decoding image by obtaining a mirror image of the composite image. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7  further comprising decoding at least a portion of the composite image by aligning a plane of symmetry of at least one of the reflected bisected image elements of the composite image with a respective plane of symmetry in the mirror image of the composite image such that the plane of symmetry in the composite image and the plane of symmetry in the mirror image of the composite image are atop one another. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  further comprising gradually moving the mirror image of the composite image with respect to the composite image such that a plurality of decoded images are sequentially revealed. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  wherein creating a composite image comprises at least partially overlapping at least some of the reflected bisected image elements such that as the composite image is gradually decoded by moving the mirror image of the composite image with respect to the composite image a story is revealed in the form of sequentially decoded image elements. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9  wherein creating a composite image comprises at least partially overlapping at least some of the reflected bisected image elements such that as the composite image is gradually decoded by moving the mirror image of the composite image with respect to the composite image an animated motion picture is revealed in the form of sequentially decoded image elements. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the composite image is at least partially transparent. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 7  wherein at least a portion of the mirror image of the composite image is at least partially transparent. 
     
     
       14. Computer software stored on non-transitory computer readable medium, the software comprising:
 code obtaining a plurality of image elements that are at least substantially symmetric; 
 code creating a plurality of bisected image elements by bisecting the plurality of image elements along a plane of symmetry of each respective image element; 
 code removing one half of each of the plurality of bisected image elements; 
 code creating a plurality of reflected bisected image elements by reflecting one or more portions of the plurality of bisected image elements across the respective plane of symmetry of each of the plurality of bisected image elements; and 
 code creating a composite image by at least partially overlapping at least some of the reflected bisected image elements. 
 
     
     
       15. The computer software of  claim 14  further comprising code adding embellishments. 
     
     
       16. The computer software of  claim 15  wherein code adding embellishments comprises code adding embellishments to at least one of the reflected bisected image elements. 
     
     
       17. The computer software of  claim 15  wherein code adding embellishments comprises code adding embellishments to at least one of the bisected image elements. 
     
     
       18. The computer software of  claim 15  wherein code adding embellishments comprises adding embellishments to the composite image. 
     
     
       19. The computer software of  claim 14  wherein code obtaining a plurality of image elements comprises code obtaining two image elements and wherein code creating a plurality of reflected bisected image elements and code creating a composite image comprises code reflecting portions of two bisected image elements and code overlapping portions of two reflected bisected image elements such that the composite image comprises an at least substantially interdigitated image. 
     
     
       20. The computer software of  claim 14  further comprising code creating a decoding image by obtaining a mirror image of the composite image. 
     
     
       21. The computer software of  claim 20  further comprising code decoding at least a portion of the composite image by aligning a plane of symmetry of at least one of the reflected bisected image elements of the composite image with a respective plane of symmetry in the mirror image of the composite image such that the plane of symmetry in the composite image and the plane of symmetry in the mirror image of the composite image are atop one another. 
     
     
       22. The computer software of  claim 21  further comprising code gradually moving the mirror image of the composite image with respect to the composite image such that a plurality of decoded images are sequentially revealed. 
     
     
       23. The computer software of  claim 22  wherein code creating a composite image comprises code at least partially overlapping at least some of the reflected bisected image elements such that as the composite image is gradually decoded by moving the mirror image of the composite image with respect to the composite image a story is revealed in the form of sequentially decoded image elements. 
     
     
       24. The computer software of  claim 22  wherein code creating a composite image comprises code at least partially overlapping at least some of the reflected bisected image elements such that as the composite image is gradually decoded by moving the mirror image of the composite image with respect to the composite image an animated motion picture is revealed in the form of sequentially decoded image elements. 
     
     
       25. The computer software of  claim 14  wherein code obtaining a plurality of image elements that are at least substantially symmetric comprises code obtaining at least one image element stored in memory. 
     
     
       26. The computer software of  claim 14  wherein code obtaining a plurality of image elements that are at least substantially symmetric comprises code activating a camera to obtain at least one image element. 
     
     
       27. An art authentication method comprising:
 obtaining an image of artwork; 
 forming a mirror image of the artwork, wherein the image of the artwork, the mirror image of the artwork or a combination thereof is at least partially transparent; 
 positioning the mirror image of the artwork atop the image of the artwork or positioning the image of the artwork atop the mirror image of the artwork; 
 moving the mirror image of the artwork with respect to the image of the artwork and/or moving the image of the artwork with respect to the mirror image of the artwork in an attempt to reveal hidden encoded images; 
 attributing the artwork to an artist or discrediting the attribution of the artwork to an artist based at least in part on revealed hidden encoded images or lack of hidden encoded images. 
 
     
     
       28. The art authentication method of  claim 27  wherein the method is used to further support attribution of an artwork to a known artist. 
     
     
       29. The art authentication method of  claim 27  wherein the method is used to discredit the attribution of an artwork to an alleged artist. 
     
     
       30. The art authentication method of  claim 27  wherein the image of the artwork is at least partially transparent. 
     
     
       31. The art authentication method of  claim 27  wherein the mirror image of the artwork is at least partially transparent. 
     
     
       32. The art authentication method of  claim 27  wherein moving the mirror image of the artwork with respect to the image of the artwork and/or moving the image of the artwork with respect to the mirror image of the artwork comprises sliding the image of the artwork and/or the mirror image of the artwork in a straight line. 
     
     
       33. The art authentication method of  claim 27  wherein moving the mirror image of the artwork with respect to the image of the artwork and/or moving the image of the artwork with respect to the mirror image of the artwork comprises rotating the image of the artwork and/or the mirror image of the artwork. 
     
     
       34. The art authentication method of  claim 27  wherein attributing the artwork to an artist or discrediting the attribution of the artwork to an artist is based on at least a quality or lack of quality of a hidden encoded image. 
     
     
       35. The art authentication method of  claim 27  wherein attributing the artwork to an artist or discrediting the attribution of the artwork to an artist is based on at least a quantity or lack of quantity of hidden encoded images. 
     
     
       36. The art authentication method of  claim 27  wherein forming a mirror image of the artwork, positioning the mirror image, and moving the mirror image and/or the artwork is performed via a computer operating on software stored in a tangible medium.